It was Day 1 of the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Zurich, Switzerland, and the Vancouver Canucks had four representatives in action to open the tournament.

With hockey seasons now wrapped up around the world, each country arrived with intriguing mixes of veteran NHL talent, young players, and a few high-end draft eligibles already earning meaningful roles within their respective lineups.

Here’s how the Canucks’ representatives fared in their opening games.

Canada opened its tournament with a 5-3 victory over Sweden, getting goals from five different skaters in a fast-paced matchup.

The Canadians jumped out to an early 2-0 lead before Sweden clawed its way back into the game. The Swedes evened things up in the middle frame with a three-goal push to even the score heading into the third period.

Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson played a role in Sweden’s momentum swing. Skating alongside Jacob De La Rose and Simon Holmstrom on Sweden’s second line, Karlsson collected a primary assist on the game-tying goal. After collecting the puck down low, he slowed the play down with a button-hook move before feeding Mattias Ekholm at the point, who blasted a shot through traffic and past the Canadian netminder.

Canada regained control early in the third period and never looked back.

As for Karlsson, he finished the game with an assist, one penalty, and a plus-1 rating through 14:38 of ice time.

Filip Hronek opened the tournament in a major role for Czechia, serving as an assistant captain and leading the team in ice time.

The Czechs controlled the game from the opening puck drop, scoring the first three goals en route to a relatively comfortable 4-1 win over Denmark.

Hronek did not hit the scoresheet, but he logged a team-high 21:47 of ice time and finished plus-2 while operating as the club’s go-to defender in all situations.

Aatu Räty opened the tournament centring Finland’s third line between Jesse Puljujarvi and Janne Kuokkanen — and quickly made his presence felt offensively.

Holding a 2-1 lead, Finland found insurance thanks to Räty’s quick release from the slot. The play began with Puljujarvi forcing a turnover before the puck fluttered toward Kuokkanen, who spotted Räty alone in the middle of the ice. The Canucks forward wasted little time, snapping home his first goal of the tournament.

Räty finished with a goal, two shots, and 14:07 of ice time in Finland’s opening victory.

Wrapping up the late slate was Team USA against tournament host Switzerland.

Max Sasson, representing the United States internationally for the first time, centred the Americans’ third line alongside Mathieu Olivier and Alex Steeves.

The Swiss jumped out to an early lead thanks in part to former Vancouver Canuck Pius Suter, who opened the scoring and later added a secondary assist in the opening period.

Although Steeves pulled the Americans within one midway through the second period, Switzerland held on for a 3-1 victory to open the tournament.

Sasson recorded one shot on goal in 13:03 of ice time.

Day 2 of the tournament continues Saturday, with both Filip Hronek and Aatu Räty returning to action.

Finland will take on Hungary, while Czechia faces Slovenia.